If Leeds United manage to pull off the near impossible and stay in the Premier League, Viktor Gyokeres simply has to be one of the first names on the Whites’ summer transfer wishlist.
In all likelihood, Leeds will not need to think about targets for a Premier League campaign for another year at the very least.
Whatever happens on Sunday, a massive reset is needed at Elland Road. Leeds need to strengthen in so many areas, particularly up front.
Leeds must prioritise Gyokeres deal if they stay up
Rodrigo has done brilliantly in front of goal. But he does not tick the same boxes as Patrick Bamford. However, Bamford is simply not scoring enough goals. And relying on him to stay fit has been incredibly difficult over the last two years.
Finding a replacement for Bamford feels like a must. And that is why Leeds – if they stay up – must be straight on the phone to Coventry City on Monday to ask about Viktor Gyokeres.
The Sky Blues were agonisingly beaten on penalties in the play-off final on Saturday. But one player who will surely be playing in the top-flight next year is the Swede.
He has scored 21 goals in the Championship.
Leeds have been linked with the forward in previous windows. Teamtalk suggested in January that the Whites were prepared to pay £14 million for Gyokeres.
Coventry meanwhile, apparently wanted £18 million. Obviously, no move would take place. And Leeds would ultimately strengthen in attack with the club-record move for Georginio Rutter.
It is too soon to write Rutter off, of course. And any criticism over that deal cannot be directed at the Frenchman himself.
But Leeds could have signed Gyokeres for around half the price. That is a staggering mistake in hindsight.
Gyokeres has proved himself in front of goal. But he also holds the ball up so well – a key strength of Bamford’s game. He brings teammates into play and he is a real handful for defenders.
It was also hard to ignore the fact that he dispatched his penalty so emphatically in the shootout given what happened to Bamford against Newcastle.
In truth, even the most optimistic Leeds fan would struggle to confidently suggest that Sunday was going to be a positive day.
But there cannot be any drawn out celebrations if survival is secured. Leeds need a massive overhaul.
And signing Gyokeres would be a fantastic way to start that process.
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